UNSPSC 12352323: Hydrochloric acid

A clear, colorless, highly pungent solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in water. It is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. Hydrochloric acid is found naturally in gastric acid. It is used in the chemical industry as a chemical reagent in the large-scale production of vinyl chloride for PVC plastic, and MDI/TDI for polyurethane. It has numerous smaller-scale applications, including household cleaning, production of gelatin and other food additives, descaling, and leather processing

UNSPSC 12352323 Hydrochloric acid is a Commodity code under which state and local governments procure chemical solutions for water treatment and facility maintenance. Recent solicitations show procurement of hydrochloric acid in multiple concentrations and container sizes—31.45% and 30% hydrochloric acid in 330-gallon totes, 55-gallon drums, and smaller containers—alongside related treatment chemicals such as citric acid, chlorine, and potassium permanganate. Issuing bodies include municipal water departments, borough utilities, and city water and wastewater systems; these end-users are the primary buyers under the code rather than intermediary purchasing offices. Work is driven by operational needs at water treatment plants and municipal pools, with specifications typically requiring NSF certification and third-party laboratory quality analysis. Hazardous materials handling, environmental compliance, and OSHA labeling and storage protocols are standard requirements. Some jurisdictions impose set-asides and participation plans—the City of Phoenix, for example, mandates Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and small business participation tracking and reporting through the municipal certification system.

Recent activity spans Arizona, Alaska, and Georgia. The City of Phoenix Water Services Department posted IFB 26-0104 on September 24, 2026, seeking hydrochloric and citric acid for a five-year contract with a non-mandatory pre-offer conference scheduled for October 7, 2025, and proposals due October 16, 2025. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska solicited pool chemicals through RFQ 27009Q posted July 2, 2026, with proposals due July 16, 2026. The City of Dublin, Georgia posted an annual water treatment chemicals bid (PE66427NONST2026000000061) on May 22, 2026, with sealed bids due June 8, 2026, for a twelve-month contract period beginning July 1, 2026; that solicitation applied a 3% local-vendor preference and estimated annual consumption at 10 to 20 tons of liquid chlorine and as-needed volumes of hydrofluorosilicic acid and potassium permanganate across three delivery sites.